Collapsible baby bed



Oct. 18, 1949e I w, C, F, DIETZ 2,485,436

v COLLAPSIBLE BABY BED Filed July 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR, 3 38 VWX/am C'. F'Dl'etz Oct. 18, 1949. v w. C. F. om 2,485,436

COLLAPSIBLE BABY BED I N VEN TOR,

Wiliam C. FDAGZ 3 may be joined by means of vertical corner posts, each of which is indicated by the character 20. To the upper edges of the sides of the base are hinged the crib side members 2|, the hinges therefor being indicated at 22. Similarly, by

means ofhinges 23 end members 24 are mounted upon the top of the box-like base for movement from the vertical to the horizontal position, as suggested at the left of Fig. 1. It may be noted that the hinged side members 2|, and the hinged end members 24, are rectangular frames suitably provided with spindles 25 or equivalent means for preventing a child from rolling or falling from the crib and possibly onto the floor beneath. When the hinged side and end members are in the upright or extended condition as illustrated at the right of Fig. 1, they are to be latched or fastened to preclude accidental return thereof to the collapsed or horizontal position of Figs. 2 and 5. It may here be noted that the end members 24, when folded inwardly to the horizontal position, rest beneath the upper edge of the boxlike base. That is to say, the end members when folded inwardly do not extend upwardly beyond the top edge of the box-like base. The hinged side members 2| when folded inwardly, rest flatly on top of the previously folded end members, as plainly illustrated by Fig. 2.

The latching means used for holding the hinged end members and side members in the extended or upright position, may be of the type illustrated by Fig. 3, wherein 26 indicates a pin or stud having a head or button 21 at one end, and an anchoring means 28 at the opposite end whereby the pin or stud may be secured to the hinged side member 2|, one at each upper corner. In the upright condition of the side members, the pins or studs project inwardly of the crib, with the heads or buttons spaced from the material in which the pins are anchored. Four such pins are applied to the crib.

The top rail 29 of each hinged end member has, at each of its ends, a latch such as is illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4. This latch may consist of a metallic U-shaped strap having legs 30 and 3| screwed or otherwise fixed to rail 29, with the connecting end portion 32 capping the rail end. Portion 32 may be slotted as at 33 to accommodate the shank of pin or stud 26, whereas one leg 30 has an aperture 34 connecting with the slot and adapted to permit disposition of the head or button 21 within the confines of the latch.

An actuator for the latch in the form of a slide 35, extends across the end member 32 of the strap and may be held yieldingly against the inside I face thereof by means of a. leaf spring or the like 36 (Fig. 4) having an anchorage 31 in the end of rail 29. Finger pieces 38, flush fitted to the rails at 10, are not readily manipulated by an infant yet they provide a convenient means of shifting the slide to lato-hing and releasing positions. When the slide is lowered, as in Fig. 3, a finger 39 blocks the entrance to slot 33 and precludes the release of pin or stud 26 therefrom. Upon elevating the slide, the finger 39 is withdrawn from intercepting relationship with the slot, and permits ready entry and withdrawal of the pin or stud shank. Fig. 3 shows the pin or stud in the normal relationship to the latch member, so that it is easily apparent how the pin or stud may be received in the latch slot when the latch slide is elevated and the latch is moved bodily to the left for engaging the pin or stud. This same action occurs when the hinged side member 24 at the left of Fig. 1 is swung to the Ail) upright position. The construction at the right of Fig. 1 is similar, there being four latch means applied to the crib. As will be understood, the latches simultaneously lock all the side and end members together, preventing disengagement both sidewise and endwise. This double locking at both ends of the curb aids the attendant in quickly folding and setting up the crib, Without assistance. In the folded condition of the crib, the heads or buttons 21 may rest within recesses 60 (Figs. 1 and 5), formed in the upper edges of the end rails |59. Recesses 56 may include latches fo-r the buttons 21.

The folding leg structure of the crib is constructed as follows. Each of the four corner posts 26 has a vertical depending extension 40 provided at its terminal end with a foot 4| which may be in the form of a smooth button or the like commonly known as a dome of silence. A metallic hinge 42, preferably in the form of a flat lstrap riveted or otherwise secured as at 43 to the leg 44, may be hinged as at 45 to the inner face of extension 4B. AThe hinged end of the leg preferably is recessed at 46 to receive the button member 4I when the leg is extended to the upright position, thereby to stabilize the hinge connection and impart a high degree of rigidity thereto. The two legs at each end of the crib may be joined by means of a connecting bar 41 to insure unitary movement of the legs to the extended and collapsed positions.

Limiting means in the form of toggle braces 4E and 49 serve to latch the legs in the extended position so that they might not accidentally fold. Brace 48 may be pivoted to the side frame member I2 at the location 50, while vbrace 49 is pivoted to the leg at 5|. A pivoted connection between the braces is indicated at 52, and the characters 53 and 54 indicate friction means tending to maintain the aligned condition of the braces illustrated at the right of Fig. 1. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable form of bracing means might be employed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the desired extended relationship of the legs relative to the body of the crib.

Each of the four legs may be furnished at its free end, with a swivel caster 55 whereby the crib may be rolled and directed along a floor or other surface. When all of the legs are extended, the casters are free to swivel. When the legs are folded as indicated at the left of Fig. 1, however, it is desirable that the swivel movement of the casters be restrained so that the wheels of the casters will perform as rollers mounted upon rigid horizontal axles extending transversely of the length of the crib. To establish this non-swivel relationship of the casters, means may be furnished in the form of caster retainers or clips 56 screwed or otherwise fastened in a depending position to the lower edge of rail l2, such clip being shown in detail by Fig. 6. It will be observed that each clip has a pair of depending legs 51 to embrace the flat-sided fork members of a caster, so as to retain the caster fork in the non-swivel position shown at the left of Fig. 1, leaving the caster wheel free to rotate upon its axle. The legs ofthe retaining device might preferably be resilient in character, so that when they embrace the caster fork the latter is gripped thereby to preclude the possibility of the foldable leg dropping to the extended position inadvertently. Each of the four retainers 56 constituting a set for the crib, is properly spaced from the pivot 45, so as to automatically receive the caster assenso forli `when the lieg .is swsmig to ia ifolded position :substantially idatly against the runder iside fof the Icrib base As will be understood, tlme leg structures may Vbe :swung to the ifolded while the .crib is standing ron end, the casterssnaturally assuming a rotated position at which 'the wheels [thereof 4are disposed in ventina-l Lalanes, .so `that `the forksof Ithe casters will be inmediately receptive to :thegretaining rclips. Thus itis unnecessary for the .operator .to .manipulate the Icasters individ- :ually by hand, in Iorder :to .fit them nto the xretainingclips.

To lprepare -the device dor storage, fthe :hinged :side and yend members may I;be folded down to :compact Jform, )and thereafter vthe -crib may )be stood on .end to render .the leg lstructures most .easily .accessible .for .folding against .the crib .bottom. After `folding the leg structures, the xonm- .pletely -folded crib may easily be rolled beneath .a .bedor Aother .article of furniture. lnthe folded condition, the .shallow box-like zbase of the .crib will .contain 4the usual mattress land .bed clothing, so that the .device will :be .immediately read-y Afor subsequent use. The completely .collapsed condition .of lthe .crib Ais plainly .illustrated by Fig.. v2.

it 'may be noted that the .buttons 4d :at 4.the lower ends of the corner posts extensions, are elevated 'but slightly above floor level when the crib is resting upon the -floor with the legs thereof folded under it. `By reason of this fact, it is possible to use the crib :a pla-y :pen by simply unfolding the hinged side and end members to the upright position. The parts then will assume the Fig. 1 relationship, with all legs Yfolded under, and it will :be -noted that .the buttons M in that event will be sufficiently close to the floor `as to present serious tilting of the crib as the 'infant therein lmoves from one end of the crib to the other. It is possible lalso to remove the casters entirely zvvlsien the crib is used as a play pen.

In conclusion, it maybe noted that all constituent parts -of the 'collapsible crib 'are simple fand inexpensive in character, thereby facilitating manufacture and -assemblywhile at the Sametime maintaining cost a-t a minimum. lsturdy yand durable, and the -user l-Will experience lno ldifficulty in manipulating 4it Without *the assistance :off :other persons. =It is important to note that the latching means at each end of the crib are within easy reach of the operator, the arrangement being such that the hinged members 24-24 may be folded inwardly in succession without requiring the operator to reach the full length of the crib in manipulating the latching devices. Extending the crib to the use position is as easily accomplished, as folding it to the collapsed or non-use position. When completely folded, the crib conveniently may be rolled beneath a bed or other article of furniture so that it will be concealed from View. Other advantages inherent in the structure have been previously stated amongst the objects of the invention appearing at the forepart of this description.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding crib, comprising a main box-like base rectangular in shape, with shallow sides and ends of uniform height and having a resilient bottom, two upright end members hinged to the upper part of the two ends of said base at a lower elevation than said upper part of the ends, so the said hinged upright end members, when folded down inwardly, shall not extend above the top edge of said box-like base, and two upright side members of such height and so hinged to upper parts of the sides of said base, so said upright side members when folded inwardly, will The device iis xllt) .opposite directions.

1li-e ftlat .on iacp :of the said 'folded wnpniglrt sind members, and two :sets :of legs hinged to fold diatly against the `under side ofsaidbox-flike base, ,free-rolling swivel :casters nn said .legs 'and operativ-.e ncident to :folding vthe legs under the lcrib, 'for holding said casters .in non-#swivel but free-rolling position, thus permitting the folded rcrib :to fbie ,rolled mndernea-th A,an ordinary bed, \on itsfownfcasters.

.2. .A foldablefcriboonrprisi-ng ashalilowrbox-.lilee -base :having -a bottom, ends, .and sides to laccom- .'modatefbed fclothing, pivot means .near the vnorners zof said base, :and .by said pivot means tor swinging movement from .upright Aposition to a folded position at winch the legs are .disposedsubstantially :tlatw-ise along the .bottom .of the mdb, fa swivel caster .on .the if-ree end `of veach .leg `tosupport the crib fornirigibility of movement ralong a iloor, and meansoperative to fix the casters against .swiveling incident fto movement of the legs to the olded position, the casters remaining tree-.rolling .in vertical planes while .so .fixed :against yswiveling, .to `ensure .straight-line wheeling .of .the `crib in 3. A foldable crib .comprising .a ,shallow box- .li-he .base .having ,a bottom, ends, .and sides to .accommodate bed clothing, ,pivot :means .near the .cornersof Asaid base, .and .legs attached to the .base Abysaidpivot means for :swinging .movementfrom upright position toa .folded position .at which the ,legs .are disposed .substantially fiatwise .along the bottom -of .the `crib, .a swivel .caster on the .free end or eachleg to support .the .crib or dirigibility of movement .along `a. floor, and meansoperative to ,fix :the `casters against .swiveling while .the .legs .are .so folded, .the casters remaining tree-rolling -mertical ,planes while .so fixed againstswiveling., n

.to ensure straight-line wheeling of `the ,crib in' .opposite directions, and means .at the corners `of fthe box-.like .base -serv-in-gas ieet in .the folded condition ,of .the ilegs and `as stabilizers for the .legs

disposed .in 'the'.upright position.

f4. .A foldable .crib comprising .afshallow box-.like base har-ing a bottom, ends, .andsides -to accom- Amodate .bed clothing, pivot means .near .the corners of .said base, .and .legs .attached .to the `base vby said ,pivot means ior v.svving-ing .movementirom upright position to a folded position at which the legs are disposed substantially flatwise along the bottom of. the crib, a swivel caster on the free end of each leg to support the crib for dirgibility of movement along a floor, and means operative to x the casters against swiveling while the legs are so folded, the casters remaining free-rolling in vertical planes while so fixed against swiveling, to ensure straight-line wheeling of the crib in opposite directions, said caster fixing means being in the form of clips secured to the bottom of the crib to embrace the sides of the .casters incident to swinging of the legs to the folded position.

5. A foldable crib comprising a shallow box-like base having a bottom, ends, and sides to accommodate bed clothing including a mattress, said base including corner posts each having a depending extension to serve as a mount for a leg of the crib, the extensions being of a length approximating a cross-sectionaldimension of the legs, a leg pivoted to each extension for swinging movement from a position of alignment with a corner post to a folded position substantially fiatwise against the bottom of the box-like base, a swivel caster at the end of each leg to support the crib for movement in the aligned positions of the legs, and means for restraining the swivel movelegs attached -to the base ments of the casters when the legs are displaced to the folded position, the extensions of the corner posts being elevated to a limited extent above iioor level when the legs are so folded, to perform as stops limiting tilting of the crib at the ends thereof while supported upon the casters in the non-swivel relationship.

6. In a folding crib, the combination which comprises a box-like base having sides and ends, a pair of hinged end members movable from an upright position upon the ends of the base to a ,horizontal position at which said end members are substantially parallel to the base, side members hinged to the base for movement from an upright position to one at which the side members rest in substantial parallelism with the base, keepers in the form of headed studs applied to the side members with the heads spaced from said side members and extending centerward of the crib, and latch means on each hinged end member including a slotted body to receive a keeper head when one of the end members is swung to the upright position subsequently to disposition of a side member to the upright position, and a latch slide movable vertically downwardly to a flush relationship with the end member, said latch slide including a finger for engaging the keeper head and precluding release thereof from the slot of the latch body, thereby simultaneously locking the side and end members against sidewise and endwise disengagement.

7. A folding crib comprising a main box-like base rectangular in shape, with shallow sides and ends extending upwardly to a uniform height, a

bottom for said box-like base, two opposed upright end members and means hinging said end members to the ends of the base for swinging movement from the upright position to a folded horizontal position at `which the end members are substantially flush with the top of the box-like L base, two opposed upright side members, and means hinging said side members to the sides of the base so that the side members when folded inwardly from the upright position, will lie atly on top of the folded end members, two sets of legs hinged upon the base to fold substantially flatly against the under side of said base, freerolling swivel casters on said legs, and means for holding said casters in non-swivel but free-rolling position when the legs are folded beneath the base, thus permitting the folded crib to be rolled on its own casters beneath an ordinary bed.

8. A folding crib comprising a main box-like base rectangular in shape, with shallow sides and ends extending upwardly to a uniform height, a bottom for said box-like base, two opposed upright end members and means hinging said end members to the ends of the base for swinging movement from the upright position to a folded horizontal position at which the end members are substantially flush with the top of the box-like base, two opposed upright side members, and means hinging said side members to the sides of the base so that the side members when folded inwardly from the upright position, will lie flatly on top of the folded end members, two sets of legs hinged upon the base to fold substantially flatly against the under side of said base, free-rolling swivel casters on said legs, and means forholding said casters in non-swivel but free-rolling position when the legs are folded beneath the base, said holding means being in the form of resilient clips xed to the base for embracing and yieldingly holding the sides of the casters in the nonswvel relationship only when the legs are so folded.

WILLIAM C. F. DIETZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 215,040 Bostwick May 6, 1879 274,982 Shepard Apr. 3, 1883 394,010 Powers Dec. 4, 1888 440,731 Wagner Nov, 18, 1890 802,728 Amos Oct. 24, 1905 1,135,022 Hummel Apr. 13, 1915 1,138,247 Rakowsky May 4, 1915 1,671,774 McIntosh May 29, 1928 2,002,607 McDaniel May 28, 1935 2,114,586 Bowen Apr. 19, 1938 2,281,672 Buchanan May 5, 1942 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,485,436 October 18, 1949 WILLIAM C. F. DIETZ It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specication of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 7, for curb read crib; column 5, line 37, for present read prevent;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that f the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of January, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

